First Impression: Chevrolet Camaro Breast Cancer Awareness Pace Car

During the month of October, it is all about Halloween. It is all about costumes, candy, horror, and the macabre during the month October. But, Halloween is just one day in the month. October is known for something else besides Halloween, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I watch my beloved Houston Texans and I see players with pink gloves and pink cleats. I watch WWE and see a pink middle rope in the ring as well as wrestlers wearing pink wrestling merchandise. As someone who has lost female family members to cancer, including an aunt to breast cancer, I admire when car companies donate money to the American Cancer Society. A pink Chevrolet Camaro SS was used as the pace car for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Chevrolet would donate $200 to the American Cancer Society for every caution lap, which there were 64 caution laps during that race. Chevrolet ended up donating $12,800 to the ACS. Chevrolet has made several pink Camaros for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Also, this is my 250th article, so what better way than to celebrate with a car dedicated to a cause I support, especially with my family history.

I saw a Breast Cancer Awareness Camaro at the 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This Camaro has pink with white in the middle. There is a big pink ribbon on the hood. Also, the Chevrolet emblem is pink. There is "CHEVROLET" going across the top of the windshield. There are even pink ribbons in on the rear sides of the vehicle. I applaud Chevrolet for making this type of custom car for Breast Cancer Awareness..

The powertrain for the Breast Cancer Camaro is the same as a Camaro SS. The Camaro SS is powered by a 6.2L V8 that produces 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 159 mph. Even with the pink and white paint job that includes pink ribbons, this vehicle still has power and performance. A SS Camaro coupe normally starts at $32,750 for the 1SS and $36,350 for the 2SS. I have not seen one of these pink Camaros go on sale at an auction.

Final thoughts: I admire Chevrolet for building these pink Camaros for a great cause. My family has been affected by cancer. I have lost two grandmothers and an aunt to cancer. I am all for any company that does something special and donates the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. These pink Camaros would make a great addition for Chevrolet car collections and pace car collections. I wish Chevrolet would auction a few of these pink Camaros and donate the money to cancer research. Still, I applaud Chevrolet for making this car and donating money to the American Cancer Society. As for me personally, I could see myself with a Camaro at some point, just not pink.

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First Impression: Porsche 918 Spyder

Ferdinand Porsche developed the first hybrid vehicle, the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid, in 1898, The car was produced from 1900 to 1905. He founded his own automotive company, Porsche AG in 1931. The Porsche Panamera and the Porsche Cayenne both have hybrid drivetrain options. It is only fitting that Porsche would come out with a supercar powered by a hybrid drivetrain. At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Porsche revealed a concept hybrid powered supercar, the 918 Spyder. The production version of the 918 Spyder was revealed at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The 918 is a two door, rear-mid engine, all wheel drive supercar. The Porsche 918 Spyder will be a limited edition car, with 918 units being built for the 2014 model year.

The Porsche 918 Spyder was present at the December 2014 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. The 918 shares some styling with the Porsche Carrera GT. Both the Carrera GT and the 918 have the retractable rear wing, targa tops, and similar engine bay covers. The  Plus the front fascia reminds me of the Ferrari 458 Speciale. It looks aggressive and fast.

The 918 is powered by a 608 hp 4.6L V8 gas engine and two electric motors that produce an additional 279 hp. The total power outcome is 887 hp and 940 lb-ft of torque. The 6.8 kW-h lithium ion battery pack allows the 918 to have an all-electric range on 12 miles. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission. The 918 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 211 mph. This is one high performing hybrid, but it comes at a steep starting price tag of $845,000. That is a lot of car for a lot of money.

The 918 Spyder has been featured on Top Gear, Jay Leno's Garage, RTL Autowereld, and Auto Esporte. The 918 Spider is playable in Need For Speed: The Run, Real Racing 3, Shift 2: Unleashed, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, Need For Speed: Rivals, and Gangster: Vegas.

Final Thoughts: This is the hybrid we need along with the McLaren P1 and the LaFerrari. When people think of hybrids, they first think of the Toyota Prius. When people think of full electric cars, they think of Tesla Model S, not the Nissan Leaf. The 918 Spyder is a great car. It has supercar looks, supercar power, supercar performance, but it has a hybrid drivetrain. Cars like the 918 Spider, the P1, and the LaFerrari shows what potential performance hybrid vehicles can have. The 918 Spyder was worth the four year wait. For those who have one are truly lucky.

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